Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives
February 14, 2005

Dear Mr. Speaker:

Today, I am submitting a request for fiscal year 2005 supplemental
appropriations of $81.9 billion for ongoing military and intelligence
operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring
Freedom, and selected other international activities, including tsunami
relief and reconstruction. This request reflects urgent and essential
requirements. I ask the Congress to appropriate the funds as requested
and promptly send the bill to me for signature.

These funds will support U.S. Armed Forces and Coalition partners
as we advance democracy, fight the insurgency, and train and equip
Iraqi security forces so that they can defend their sovereignty and
freedom. In Afghanistan, our Armed Forces continue to track down
terrorists, help the Afghan people rebuild their country, and train and
equip Afghan security forces so that Afghanistan, too, may continue to
take control of its democratic future.

My request will provide funds needed to repair, refurbish, and
procure equipment needed by the Armed Forces to win the War on Terror.
In addition, this request will fund the Army's Modularity plan to
restructure three brigades deploying to Iraq.

Finally, this request will assist the Palestinians as they build a
democratic state, will provide relief for the humanitarian crisis in
Darfur, and will support relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction
efforts in countries devastated by the recent Indian Ocean tsunami.

I hereby designate the specific proposals in the amounts requested
herein as emergency requirements. I urge the Congress not to attach to
this proposal items that are not directly related to these emergencies
abroad. The details of the request are set forth in the enclosed
letter from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.